With a record 128 swimmers registered this season, the Lumby Lightning Swim Club is off to an exciting start. This past weekend, a small but mighty group of swimmers attended the 52nd Annual Salmon Arm Sockeyes Swim Meet, kicking off the 2026 summer swim season with plenty of personal bests, medals, and impressive performances.
Representing the Lumby Lightning throughout the entire weekend were Owen and Mackenzie Gaudette, Sarah Ladd, Chloe Dunbar, Remington Epp, Morgan Andretta, and Luuk and Max Van der Walle. Liam McBride joined the team on Saturday, while Gracin Nickerson, Ella-May Nickerson, and Harlow Hopkins rounded out the squad on Sunday, helping make for a successful opening meet of the season.
Swimmer Highlights
- Luuk and Max Van der Walle (Turtles)
- Each competed in 3 Turtle Races and represented the Lightning with enthusiasm and determination.
- Ellamay Nickerson (Division 2)
- Shaved more than 20 seconds off both her 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle, crushing her previous best times.
- Successfully completed her 50m Breaststroke and set the benchmark for future races.
- Remington Epp (Division 2)
- Recorded personal bests in all 6 of his events. (100m IM, 50m Freestyle, 50m Fly, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle)
- Morgan Andretta (Division O Cat 1)
- Achieved personal bests in all 6 events. (100m IM, 50m Freestyle, 50m Fly, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle)
- Earned the Silver Individual Aggregate Award in her division.
- Chloe Dunbar (Division O Cat 1)
- Recorded personal bests in all 6 events. (100m IM, 50m Freestyle, 50m Fly, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle)
- Earned the Bronze Individual Aggregate Award in her division.
- Sarah Ladd (Division 3)
- Recorded personal bests in all 6 of her events. (100m IM, 50m Freestyle, 50m Fly, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle)
- Mackenzie Gaudette (Division 4)
- Attended her first-ever swim meet.
- Completed 5 events over the weekend. (50m Freestyle, 50m Fly, 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle)
- Set the bar high for the remainder of her season with a strong first competition.
- Mackenzie appears to have caught the racing bug, and we expect to see much more from her this summer.
- Harlow Hopkins (Division 4)
- Took on two longer events than she has raced in previous seasons. (100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke)
- Claimed a personal best in her 100m Freestyle.
- Gracin Nickerson (Division 4)
- Recorded personal bests in both the 100m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle.
- Owen Gaudette (Division 5)
- Attended his first-ever swim meet.
- Competed in 5 events and looked strong in all of them. (50m Freestyle, 50m Fly, 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle)
- Earned the Bronze Individual Aggregate Award in his division.
- Owen had an outstanding debut weekend, and if this meet was any indication, he may be hooked on racing.
- Liam McBride (Division O Cat 2)
- Recorded a personal best in his 50m Freestyle.
- Earned the Gold Individual Aggregate Award in his division.
- Competed in his first 200m Individual Medley and 100m Butterfly of the summer season. We look forward to seeing how much he can improve these events throughout the summer.
Supporting the swimmers throughout the weekend were coaches Michelle Nickerson, Oskar Erickson, Jacob Brayshaw and Laurel Poole. Michelle, Laurel and Oskar also jumped into the pool themselves, helping round out relay teams and demonstrating the team-first spirit that makes the Lumby Lightning special.
Overall, it was a successful weekend in Salmon Arm, showcasing the hard work and dedication of our swimmers, coaches, and families.
Watch for the Lumby Lightning Swim Club float in the Lumby Days Parade!
Next Up: Home Meet! The Lumby Lightning will host the 2026 Unity & Light Electric Sprint Invitational Swim Meet on June 20–21 at the Lumby Community Pool.
Come down and experience the excitement of a swim meet firsthand—fast racing, enthusiastic team cheers, and a fantastic community atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there!
